THE 6 MILLION DOLLAR MAN COMES TO MEMPHIS
Advocates Push Back on TVA CEO Bill Johnson’s Proposal to Raise Utility Bills
Contact: Jennifer Rennicks, SACE, 865-235-1448, [email protected]
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – On Tuesday, January 23, advocates will rally outside Memphis City Hall to draw attention to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s secretive attempts to increase monthly mandatory fees on our utility bills. These mandatory fees would increase the energy burden on families across Memphis, especially those living on lower or fixed incomes.
TVA’s $6 Million Dollar Man, the federal government’s highest paid employee, Bill Johnson, is expected to address the Executive Session of the Memphis City Council later today to explain why Memphians should shoulder multiple 1.5 percent rate increase year after year – which will be passed through to MLGW customers. TVA is also proposing that all customers pay a mandatory fee regardless of how much electricity they use, an effort by TVA to recover costs from poor planning and bad investments in dirty energy.
Johnson and TVA argue these fees are needed because they have seen a decrease in power sales. Advocates argue these fees are not needed and hurt lower-income families who use less power and need help reducing their energy costs.
“The Memphis City Council and our new CEO at MLGW must stand up for the people of Memphis, who are suffering under the highest energy burdens in the country. Memphis has the power to push back on TVA policies and practices that put the interests of industry over the needs of the people,” said Angela Garrone, Energy Research Attorney with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “If TVA continues to fail Memphis, then it’s time for our residents and our City Council to start looking around for a smarter option for where we get our power.”
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Founded in 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible energy choices that work to address the impacts of global climate change and ensure clean, safe, and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org.